"Aromatherapy is the fragrant art of using specially selected aromatic oils for therapeutic purposes. It is one of the fastest growing complementary therapies in the world."

All essential oils are antiseptic and have different effects - some regulate metabolic function, some stimulate, whilst some others will soothe irritations and anxieties. Massage is used with the oils to enhance their effectiveness.

Essential oils can be used safely at home for many ailments. This Aromatherapy Course will take you through from the extraction to the application of the oils for therapeutic purposes, as well as cover aromatherapy massage techniques.

Aromatherapy is one of the most widely used therapies and this course will enable you to successfully practice as an aromatherapist.

• Essential oils - extraction, mixing and blending
• The subtle anatomy
• Client consultation
• Aromatherapy massage
• Oils for different symptoms
• Carrier oils
• Stress & aromatherapy
• Aromatherapy techniques
• Starting your practice
• Tables of essential oils

• Anatomy & physiology
• Muscular system
• Endocrine system
• Digestive system
• Reproductive system
• Circulatory system
• Skeletal system
• Nervous system
• Special senses
• Lymphatic system
• The skin, cells & tissues

1. Introduction to Aromatherapy History.
   1. Summarise your understanding of Aromatherapy.
   2. List the plants substances used by ancient man for medicinal purposes and give five ways in which they were used.
   3. Describe the following: Chi, Yin and Yang
   4. Define the different types of Vibrational medicine.
2. Curative Powers of Smell, Limbic Lobe and Olfactory Pathway.
   1. Analyse the five main parts of the brain, briefly describing the cerebrum.
   2. Summarise where you would find the following: Motor centres, Sensory centres for the trunk and head, Sight Centre
   3. Discuss the three groups of nerve fibres.
   4. Specify the activities regulated by the hypothalamus.
   5. Introduce reasons why the relationship between the brain, mind and body is important.
3. The Cells and Tissues, The Skin.
   1. Describe the skin briefly.
   2. Identify four functions of the skin.
   3. Summarise the structure of the skin relating to the following layers: Dermis, Epidermis
   4. Discuss which system of the body controls the secretion of sweat.
   5. Introduce the ‘nail’ and its functions.
4. Skeletal System.
   1. Describe the general structure of a bone and list functions performed by these parts.
   2. Explore the four major categories of bones.
   3. Define some of the common anatomical terms associated with the skeletal system.
   4. Explore the vertebral column (spine).
   5. Discuss the functions of the thorax.
5. Muscular System.
   1. Identify and describe the locations of major skeletal muscles.
   2. Explain how the positions of skeletal muscles are related to the movements they produce and how muscles interact to produce these movements.
   3. List three types of muscle tissue.
   4. List the parts of a muscle fibre and the function performed by each part.
   5. Distinguish between a muscle’s origin and its insertion.
6. Nervous System.
   1. Describe the general structure of a neuron.
   2. Name the major parts of the brain and describe the function of each part.
   3. Name the cranial nerves and list their major functions.
   4. Distinguish between the parasympathetic and sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.
7. Endocrine System.
   1. Explore the characteristics of the major endocrine glands.
   2. Describe the general functions of the hormones secreted by endocrine glands.
   3. Explain the 28-day menstrual cycle in females.
   4. Explore the various diabetic conditions and processes.
8. Special Senses.
   1. Describe the structure of the eye.
   2. Explain the function of the eye.
   3. Describe the structure of the ear.
   4. Explain the function of the ear.
9. Digestive System.
   1. Name and describe the essential foodstuffs needed on a daily basis.
   2. Describe the general function of the various digestive organs.
   3. Describe the functions of the liver.
   4. Describe the structure of the alimentary canal wall.
   5. Explain how the contents of the alimentary canal are mixed and moved.
   6. Discuss the swallowing mechanism.
10. Respiratory System.
    1. Describe the functions of the key organs of the respiratory system.
    2. Explain how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and the blood.
    3. Identify some of the common disorders of the respiratory system.
11. Circulatory System.
    1. Identify the components that make up blood.
    2. Describe the primary functions of the blood.
    3. Name and describe the locations of the major parts of the heart and discuss the functions of each part.
    4. Explore the notion of blood circulation within the human body.
12. Lymphatic System.
    1. Explain the general function of the lymphatic system.
    2. Explore a lymph node and its major functions.
    3. Discuss the functions of the thymus.
    4. Describe the functions of the spleen.
13. Urinary System.
    1. Name the organs of the urinary system and list the general functions.
    2. Describe the location and structure of the kidneys.
    3. List the functions of the kidneys.
    4. Describe a nephron and explain the function of its major parts.
    5. Describe the structure of the ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.
14. Reproductive System.
    1. Name the parts of the male reproductive system and describe the functions of each part.
    2. Name the parts of the female reproductive system and discuss the functions of each part.
    3. Review the structure of the mammary glands.
15. Essential Oil, Extraction, Mixing and Blending.
    1. Introduce the recognized home of the essential oil industry and show why these oils are different from others.
    2. Discuss how essential oils penetrate the skin and how long it takes.
    3. Evaluate three methods of obtaining an essential oil.
    4. List the three sections of essential oils relating to evaporation with an explanation of each.
    5. Describe the utensils that are required when mixing oils.
16. Carrier Oils.
    1. Analyse what a carrier oils is.
    2. List five of the carrier oils giving an explanation of each.
    3. Discuss two specialised carrier oils giving descriptions of each.
    4. Identify four top, middle and base note oils.
17. Directory of Essential Oils.
    1. Describe how long the effects of top, base and middle notes generally last.
    2. Summarise which is the most versatile of all oils and name two which are very expensive.
    3. Introduce the term ‘contra-indication’ and give two examples where this term would apply.
18. Tables of Essential Oils.
    1. Identify a suitable remedy using up to three oils for the following conditions: Alopecia, Catarrh, Bronchitis, Dermatitis, Earache, Menopause, Migraine
19. The Subtle Body.
    1. Summarise how many subtle bodies there are and state what they are called.
    2. Introduce the Etheric body.
    3. Define the Astral body.
    4. Describe the functions of the Chakra system.
    5. Judge how many meridians are found in the body and show which meridian pairs with the small intestine.
20. Stress and Aromatherapy.
    1. Define your understanding of stress.
    2. List the four areas in which stress can affect us and give a brief description of each.
    3. Describe briefly the meaning of burnout.
    4. List the four basic strategies for managing stress.
21. Client Consultation.
    1. Describe the process of centering yourself and why this is important.
    2. Summarise the benefits of Aromatherapy massage.
22. Massage.
    1. Identify briefly the meaning of massage and explain why you should oil the body.
    2. Discuss what Effleurage massage is and how you would apply it to the client.
    3. Introduce Petrissage massage and show the method of application.
    4. Analyse the functions of the Bladder Meridian.
23. Massage (cont).
    1. Describe the following massages: Relaxing, Stimulating
    2. Evaluate in detail how you would perform a massage sequence of the back area.
    3. Judge why massage of the stomach is up to the client.
    4. Summarise the purpose of the Client Consultation Form.
24. Starting your Business.
    1. Discuss the setting up of your therapy practice as a business opportunity.

This course is an online course. With online study you have access to your entire course from the start of your studies. You can access your course materials, and submit all of your question papers to your personal tutor, online from anywhere in the World using your unique student account.

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

We impose no time limits or pressures on you to complete your course material. Your course will not expire, and it will not become invalid until you have successfully completed it. All that we ask, is that you inform the College if you are intending to take a break from studying for a period of 6 months or more.

Depending on the course you study, each lesson should take you between 3 - 6 hours of study. Please note: This is only an approximate figure and is dependent upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.